The Catholic church has expressed its “profound sorrow” to a man who, as a boy, was repeatedly sexually abused by a paedophile priest.

Father Michael Higginbottom, 74, was last week jailed over the sickening abuse, which he carried out while working at St Joseph’s College, in Up Holland, near Ormskirk.

The sexual assaults took place in the 1970s.

A statement released by the church said: “The diocese expresses profound sorrow for the terrible crimes of child abuse committed by Father Michael Higginbottom and offers a heartfelt apology to the victim who should have been afforded and expected utmost care from someone in such a position of trust. There can be no excuses.